Scientific journal articles
Browse our collection of scientific journal articles on soilless substrates.
Publications Index
Jeb S. Fields, Kristopher S. Criscione, James S. Owen 2024. Conventional sphagnum peatlite substrate can be reduced by 50% in stratified substrate systems while growing equivalent size and quality
Pentas lanceolata. Scientia Horticulturae 331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2024.113121.
Floriculture crop production heavily relies on the use of peat-based substrates to quickly mass produce containerized crops. The sustainability of using peat moss has been an increasing concern for both horticultural stakeholders and the community. The concept of stratifying soilless substrates (i.e., vertically layering unique substrates atop of each other within the container) has been shown to reduce peat moss applications by upwards of 50 %. Although, most stratified substrate research has only studied an equal partition in which the substrate is evenly split into two layers. This necessitates further studying modification of the limits and optima for the depth more ∨
Fields, J. S., Owen, J. S., Jr., Lamm, A., Altland, J., Jackson, B., Oki, L., Samtani, J. B., Zheng, Y., & Criscione, K. S. 2023. Surveying North American specialty crop growers’ current use of soilless substrates and future research and education needs. Agriculture, 13(9), 1727.. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13091727.
Many specialty crop growers are transitioning high-value crops from in-ground production to soilless culture due to the diminishing availability of fumigants, increasing pest pressure, extreme weather, and the need for flexible production practices. The objective of this study was to determine the research and educational needs of specialty crop growers who are transitioning to soilless substrates. North American growers were surveyed using an online instrument that incorporated Likert-type statement matrices, open-ended questions, and demographic questions. Additionally, two virtually led focus groups were conducted to further expand upon the quantitative findings with descriptive data. Respondents indicated the most important factors in more ∨
Fields, J. S., Owen, J. S., Jr., & Altland, J. E. 2021. Substrate stratification: layering unique substrates within a container increases resource efficiency without impacting growth of shrub rose. Agronomy, 11(8), 1454.. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11081454.
Nurseries rely on soilless substrates to provide suitable growing media for container grown crops. These soilless substrates have been developed to readily drain water to prevent issues with waterlogging and associated soil-borne disease. A negative consequence of high porosity and subsequent drainage throughout the container profile is the required high or frequent irrigation rates with poor retention of applied nutrients. Substrates with relatively high levels of moisture and nutrient retention placed on top of a coarse and freely draining substrate could further optimize water and nutrient retention, while allowing for needed gas exchange for plant establishment and growth. Containerized Red more ∨